Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries: Travellers, Explorers and Pioneers

This book was first published in 1865(2005), has 477 pages, 31 chapters, numerous B/W drawings but no maps. DAVID LIVINGSTONE (19.3.1813 to 1.5.1873), his brother CHARLES (1821 - In 1863 ill health forced him to return to USA, became British Consul in West Africa, where he died in 1873), David's wife MARY(who died during the expedition), and others, went between 1858 to 1864, a ascend Zambesi River, as far as Vitoria Falls(Mosi-oa-Tunya - the smoke that thunders), explore Shire(Sheeray) River and see Lakes Shirwa and Nyasa(Malawi). The aim of the expedition was to open trade and the extinction of slave trade and collection of specimens for the British Museum.The expedition started on 10.3.1858, when they left England, then around Cape Town and to the mouth of Zambesi. On 17th August, their steamer left TETTE up the Zambesi, in this Portuguese territory. The Portuguese marry the local native women and also kept slaves. Fever affected the men, whether they took prophylactic quinine or not. Since no European had attempted to ascend the SHIRE River, in January 1859, taking camels, they tried this expedition. They faced cataracts after 100 miles and had to work towards the NYASA great lake. At Lake SHIRWA, they came to Mountain range of Milanje and Mt ZOMBA (7,000ft). In mid August, they tried again to go up the Shire, to meet Lake Nyasa. They pass a hill called MALAWE. On 28.8.1859, they left the ship to discover Lake Nyasa and its beautiful country, and returned to the ship on 6th October. After passing KEBRABASA rapids, they arrive at CHICOVA plains on 7.6.1860. Pushing up the Zambesi, they arrive at LUANGWA river on 26th June and the KAFUE on 11th July. On 9.8.1860 they proceeded to see the VICTORIA FALLS. At the Garden Island, at the lip of the falls, they peered over the giddy height of this wonderous cascade. The Falls are formed by a crack right across the Zambesi River, east to west. The flow then Zig Zags south. The vapour of the water climbs upto 300ft and can be seen 21 miles away.Then they return along the Zambesi. Their next expedition on 11.3.1861 was to explore the RUVOMA River and on 6.8.1861, they started for Lake Nyasa again. On the Lake, they experienced stormy waves. Because of low supplies, they returned to the ship on 8.11.1861. Taking the Zambesi, they returned to the coast. On HMS Gorgan, Mrs Livingstone and other missionaries arrived. They all headed towards Lake Nyasa. However, Mrs Livingstone fell victim of the fever and died on 27.4.1862 and was buried under a big baobab tree. After visiting Ruvoma river in 'Lady Nyasa', they attempted the Zambesi again on 10.1.1863 and by 16th June, they were again at upper cataracts of Shire River. With devastation caused by slave-hunting and famine, their expedition was re-called on 2.7.1863. Their next mission was to go to the western side of Lake Nyasa and on 10.9.1863, they arrive in KOTA KOTA. They return to the ship on 1st of November. On 16th of April, they steamed out of MOZAMBIQUE and a week later, they arrived in ZANZIBAR. They left Zanzibar on 30.4.1864 on 'Lady Nyasa', sailed 2,500 miles on choppy seas and arrived in BOMBAY, India at the beginning of June 1864.Some other books of interest are:-(1) The Victoria Falls and Zambesi River, Baines 1865(1969)(2) Matabeleland and Victoria falls, Oates 1874(2007)(3) To The Victoria Falls of The Zambesi, Mohr 1876(1993)2011(4) Notes on Ride to The Victoria Falls of The Zambesi, Bethell 1887(1976)2009(5) The Victoria Falls, Zambesi River, Clark 1952(6) Victoria falls and Upper Zambesi River, Fagan 1964Having born in Kenya, I found this long book interesting.